On Friday, December 12, Peter Wennink (former CEO of ASML) presented his advisory report ‘The route to future prosperity’. This important report was commissioned by the national government and offers an integrated vision on the economic and social resilience of the Netherlands. Wennink outlines concrete choices needed to secure our prosperity and freedom for future generations. Doing nothing is not an option according to Wennink. We must show ambition, courage, and boldness.
His call is clear: put everything into strengthening earning capacity and maintaining the international competitiveness of the Netherlands. This is the only way to achieve the much-needed economic growth to address challenges in healthcare, education, climate, and defense.
In Flevoland we are already making a difference
The high-tech hotspot in Almere and the Smart Mobility Campus (MITC) in Marknesse are ecosystems where research, innovation, and talent development come together. Appropriately, Wennink places the Institute for Advanced Materials & Metrology (IAMM) in Almere on the list of the most important national projects within the domain of digitalization and AI. In IAMM, science, education, and business join forces to develop smart innovative materials and precision metrology for semiconductors.
The institute aligns perfectly with Wennink’s recommendations: strengthening European technological sovereignty and building resilient high-tech ecosystems. Additionally, Wennink highlights the importance of AI Robotics in agriculture with a key role for, among others, the Farm of the Future of Wageningen University and Research in Lelystad.
Energy
Wennink states that the availability of energy is one of the most important preconditions for investing in the future of the Netherlands. However, at the moment, grid congestion is a national problem. Flevoland can play a major role in solving this problem by making a specific contribution to the Dutch energy system. Flevoland has a surplus of sustainable energy due to large-scale energy generation. The province is ready to help with flexible and decentralized solutions that can especially assist the Utrecht and Gelderland regions. To do this, granting Flevoland the status of pilot province by the national government is necessary.
Digital infrastructure
We endorse the importance that Wennink places on a strong digital infrastructure. The current Dutch prosperity is largely due to the leading position that the Netherlands (and especially the MRA) has with strong digital connectivity. That position is under pressure, while a future-proof economy must be built on digitalization, innovation, and technology. The Netherlands must invest in digital infrastructure to remain a frontrunner. Investing in a fourth hyperconnectivity cluster in the MRA region is therefore necessary. We also see opportunities here for a smart connection with decentralized energy solutions.
Flevoland takes its role
Together with partners, we are already working on the domains that Wennink identifies as crucial for the future of the Netherlands:
- Specific programs for entrepreneurs in digitalization and AI
- The High Tech Campus development in Almere
- Application of Robotics and AI in Agrifood
- Innovative energy solutions
- Developing the MITC ecosystem
In Flevoland, we are not only building the future for our residents but also the prosperity of the Netherlands and Europe.
